Best young central defenders in EA FC 25

EA FC 25 hit the shelves in late September and provided another blockbuster release for football's biggest video game.

With every passing year, the franchise (which was formerly FIFA) grows in popularity and there have been plenty of improvements this time around. Whether you're an Ultimate Team fan, Career Mode aficionado or Pro Clubs advocate, there is plenty to get your teeth stuck into.

No matter your game mode of choice, it's always important to know about the best and brightest available, with young players an extremely valuable currency.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at the best young central defenders aged 23 or under in EA FC 25.

Best young centre-backs in EA FC 25

We're including any player who has a starting position of centre-back in EA FC 25, with one standing head and shoulders above the rest. Arsenal defender William Saliba is far and away the strongest young centre-back in the game, with the Frenchman receiving an upgrade that takes him to 87. Some would argue that's still too low.

Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven boasts an impressive 82 rating - an upgrade of four from last year's game - and the speedy Dutchman is likely to be an incredibly meta player in EA FC 25. The best young women's centre-back is Colombian Manuela Vanegas, who also comes in at 82 for Real Sociedad Femenino. The latter has a potential of 88.

The impressive performances of Piero Hincapie with last season's Bundesliga 'Invincibles' Bayer Leverkusen have resulted in an 81 rating, while his teammate Odilon Kossounou - currently on loan at Atalanta - is the same rating. They both have 86 potential and can develop into world-beaters with good physical attributes.

There is something in the water in Lisbon, with four Sporting CP players and one Benfica man making the 20 highest-potential young centre-backs in EA FC 25. Ousmane Diomande, Goncalo Inacio, Eduardo Quaresma and summer recruit Zeno Debast all represent last season's Primeira Liga champions.

Manchester United have two high-potential young centre-backs - one for the men's and one for the women's team - with Leny Yoro and Maya Le Tissier both having mammoth potentials. The latter can reach as high as 88 overall.

Young centre-backs with best Career Mode potential in EA FC 25

Cheap wonderkid centre-backs in EA FC 25 Career Mode

Barcelona's superstar wonderkid Pau Cubarsi is valued at just £4.6m despite having 88 potential but he's almost certainly going to cost you more in EA FC 25. However, there are a host of other defenders valued at under £15m worth examining.

Westerlo's Luka Vuskovic and Nurnberg's Finn Jeltsch are definitely worth scouting immediately in Career Mode, with low current ratings but enormous potential. Both are valued at as little as £1.4m and are smart additions for a long-term project.

If you're delving into women's football - now in Career Mode for the first time ever - then Chelsea's Maelys Mpome is valued at £14m and has a potential rating of 85 overall. The French defender is already a strong performer at 76 overall.

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